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172 A ied Heal Services 2020 | NMH Annual Rep t T he Department of Clinical Engineering continue to provide a designated, coordinated approach to the management of Medical Devices and Equipment (MDE) throughout the NMH. The department's objective is to ensure a safe, high quality service for its service users to enable better outcomes for patients. 2020 saw further hospital and HSE investment in MDE with the procurement of over 500 new and replacement medical devices, bringing the total number of in-service devices to 2697. This was in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased demand to equip patient isolation facilities. The department continued to maintain its high level of in-house preventative maintenance with 76% of medical devices maintained internally. The department's integration with HSE guidelines and policies with respect to MDE continues, as the national implementation of the Medical Devices / Equipment Management Policy is rolled out including the anticipated introduction of the Medical Device Equipment Quality Assessment and Improvement Tool (QA&I Tool). Clinical Engin ring With the on-going redevelopment of the hospital on its current site, and its proposed relocation to St Vincents University Hospital, Clinical Engineering participated on several committees providing advice on all aspects on the management of Medical Devices including risk assessment and cost effectiveness. Some projects include the expansion of the Delivery Suite and Operating Theatres and the redevelopment and upgrade of the Radiology Department. Other committees and projects that required departmental involvement include the National Maternal-Neonatal Clinical Management System (MN-CMS), the implementation of the NMH Strategic Plan and participation in the development of National Framework / Tendering documentation. The department also represents the hospital on several external committees such as the BEAI (Biomedical / Clinical Engineering Association of Ireland) and the Health and Social Care Professions Expert Group and has continued its close working relationship with the National Neonatal Transport Program. Department members continue to keep up to date professionally in order to maintain an appropriate level of competence by participating in many internal and external lectures / presentations and by furthering their academic qualifications with the completion of a Higher Diploma in Computer Science and the commencement of the Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Informatics in order to up skill due to the rapidly evolving nature of medical technology and the ever increasing risks in cyber security. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Dara Keeley, Mr Vasanth Pillai and Ms Maighread Gallagher for their on-going commitment and dedication to the NMH and its service users. The department continued to maintain its high level of in-house preventative maintenance with 76% of medical devices maintained internally. Eoghan Hayden, Chief Clinical Engineer.